Still reminisce about 80s food or recipes from the 60s? Here we've rounded up the stand out dish for every year from 1950 to 1990, so that you can see what was the best loved meal, food or drink during the year you were born.
From jelly and custard to stuffed peppers, this lovely lot are a real trip down memory lane...
So which is your favourite?
1950s food
1950: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Because sweet treats were in short supply during the years after the war, this amazingly colourful bake was welcomed with open arms when it burst onto the foodie scene in 1950. Made with tinned goods, pineapple upside down cake was an easy thing to whip up with your butter and sugar rations, and could make its way round a big family if sliced thinly enough.
Get the recipe: Pineapple upside-down cake
1951: SPAM
While fresh meat was still being heavily rationed, SPAM provided an unlikely source of protein to thousands of British families during the 1950s. Love them or hate them, SPAM fritters were the dish of the year. These crispy morsels were coated in batter, deep-fried and served up for many a supper.
1952: Baked Alaska
To be a true child of 1952 you've got to have had a baked Alaska or two in your time. This science-defying pud wowed the masses when it was introduced in the 1950s with its hot outside and freezing cold inside. Made with a sponge bottom, a thick layer of jam, a mound of ice cream and a baked meringue shell it really was an impressive party centrepiece.
Get the recipe: Baked Alaska
1953: Devilled Eggs
Liberated from egg and sugar rations but still firmly in the grips of cheese and meat rationing British cooks of 1953 were keen to make the most of their new found culinary freedom. The result? Devilled eggs of course! These curried canapés were a real favourite for serving up as part of a party spread.
1954: Burgers and milkshakes
1954 saw the end of rationing altogether and the opening of the first Wimpy Bars, selling burgers and milkshakes to Britain's teenagers - and they loved it. The love of all things American has stayed with us right up until today, except now we've taken things to the next level with freakshakes!
Get the recipes: Burgers and milkshakes
1955: Black Forest Gateau
With its layers of chocolate sponge, whipped cream and cherry syrup, Black Forest Gateau was the dish of the moment in 1955, after being invented in Germany some years earlier (known by its German title, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte). It appeared in recipe books everywhere following its inclusion on a list of best-known German cakes in 1949, and aren't we so glad of it? This classic cake is still a favourite for many today.
Get the recipe: Black forest gateau
1956: Coronation Chicken
Coronation chicken was invented for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 and gathered popularity with every year that passed. In 1956 this exotic mix of cooked chicken, mayonnaise and curry powder and truly become one of Britain's favourite lunchtime sandwich fillers and could even be found on the shelves of grocery shops, pre-made.
Get the recipe: Coronation chicken
1957: Rice Pudding
Ah, Rice pudding, a deliciously creamy dessert that was traditionally made in a pot but somehow found its way into a tin during the first world war. Despite the tinned version coming years earlier it was 1957 that marked a huge step change for the most popular brand, Ambrosia, when it had to open up a whole new factory to cope with the demand if its famous tinned pud from the British masses.
Get the recipe: Rice pudding
1958: Chop Suey
A rise in immigration during the 1950s and 60s gave Brits a real taste for strong flavours from further afield. 1958 was the year Chop Suey was introduced to the menu of Butlins' holiday camps - making it officially a British favourite!
1959: Arctic Roll
Birds Eye inherited Arctic Roll in 1959, when it bought an Eastbourne ice cream factory and went on to have great success with this freezer staple of the time. Much like a traditional Swiss roll, this ice cream filled alternative captured the hearts of those who couldn't face having to make a pudding every evening.
50s food deals
1960s food
1960: Chicken Tikka Masala
The dramatic increase in the number of immigrants coming to the UK from former British colonies certainly had an effect on the food us Brits were eating during 1960. It really was the year that Indian restaurants began to flourish and it’s when we first got our taste for one of our (now) national dishes – the chicken tikka masala.
Get the recipe:Chicken tikka masala
1961: Lager
Although we might think of lager as a national drink now, it wasn't actually introduced to us Brits until the 1960s. This pale golden drink was a lighter, more refreshing alternative to British ales and stouts and made its way into pubs up and down the land in 1961.
1962: Cheese and onion crisps
Going hand in hand with the favourite of 1961, lager, cheese and onion crisps were introduced in 1962 by Golden Wonder and joined the existing crisp flavours of ready salted and salt and vinegar to on the back of pub bars across Britain.
1963: Duck a l'Orange
Famously one of Grace Kelly's favourite dishes duck a l'orange was thought to be one of the most exotic flavour combinations to date in 1963. Rarely before had meat been paired with foreign fruit like oranges and it was thought of as very 'of the moment'.
1964: Prawn Cocktail
We can't help but hold a fond place in our hearts for all children of 1964 because their birthdays coincide with one of our all time favourite dinner party recipes: The prawn cocktail. The pink spicy sauce and a few baby prawns somehow combined to make a magical flavour combination. and the dish has been a firm starter staple every since.
Get the recipe:Prawn cocktail
1965: Crêpe Suzette
Following on from 1963s duck a l'orange the next recipe to gain popularity using oranges was crêpe Suzette. The recipe was brought over from France by the handful of people who could afford to travel to Europe and quickly spread to become one of the stand out dishes of the year.
1966: Chicken Liver Pate
In the 1960s we were a lot more used to offal and using up every part of the animal, which meant chicken liver pate quickly became one of the most loved dishes. This smooth pate was made with brandy and butter for a really indulgent treat.
Get the recipe:Chicken liver pate
1967: Angel Delight
Question: What is nationally famous dish, enjoyed by millions from its first appearance in 1967, is made of whey powder combined with several emulsifiers and gelling agents and (despite these unlovely ingredients) was originally marketed as a health food? Answer: Angel Delight. Yup, this oddly wobbly dessert was served up in glasses all over Britain during 1967.
1968: Jelly and custard
What child doesn't love jelly and custard? This school canteen favourite was made popular in the late 1960s thanks to its cheap packet ingredients and simple flavours.
1969: Fray Bentos Pies
Fancy time travelling to 1969? Then you'll need a pie cooked in a tin. Yes, we're talking about Fray Bentos pies, the latest in a sudden line up of convenient meals in the late 1960's. All that was required from any cook was to peel back the ring pull tin lid and bake the pie in the oven.
60s food deals
1970: Spaghetti Bolognese
Believe it or not back in 1970 spaghetti bolognese was a pretty fashionable 'foreign' dish that would be served up at dinner parties up and down the land because of its fabulously 'fancy' ingredients. Guests often spent the evening working out how to get the slippery strands into their mouths while trying to avoid tomato sauce going all down their best dress!
Get the recipe:Spaghetti bolognese
1971: Banoffee Pie
Fun fact, condensed milk was invented in 1856 by an American entrepreneur named Gail Borden. However it wasn't until over 100 years later that Brits were regularly using it in their cooking. And what, you might be thinking, did they make it with? Why, banoffee pie of course! This sweet and sticky mass of bananas and toffee was said to have been invented by The Hungry Monk Restaurant in Jevington, East Sussex in 1971 and was such a hit the owners never took it off their menu!
Get the recipe:Banoffee pie
1972: Cheese and Pineapple Sticks
If there's a party food to sum up the 1970s it's got to be cheese and pineapple sticks. The very height of sophistication, these little canapés would often be served stuck into an upside down melon half - to sort of resemble a hedgehog! Classy, we think you'll agree.
1973: Chilli Con Carne
Chilli con carne might seem a little mundane these days but in 1973 it first came onto the scene and made a big impact with Brits who were more used to spuds than spice. This classic combination of minced beef and kidney beans has been a treasured recipe ever since.
Get the recipe:Chilli con carne
1974: Smash
If you truly were a child of 1974 then there's no way you couldn't remember Smash. This powdered mash potato mixture had its first big success thanks to its choice of advertising mascot, the Smash Martians, who helped shift packets of the stuff by the thousands.
1975: Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie hit the foodie scene around 1975 with keen bakers turning their hand to this American style classic in a bid to impress friends and family with their trendy know-how, and we've loved it as a nation ever since. There's something so alluring about the crisp top and sharp filling.
Get the recipe:Lemon meringue pie
1976: Fondue
Fondue from France was a huge hit in 1976, probably mainly because it's 95% melted cheese and tastes like heaven. Holiday makers brought the recipe home to good old blighty and once we had a taste for things dipped in hot cheese the idea spread like wild fire. This little number was a real dinner party show stopper at the time.
Get the recipe:Fondue
1977: Quiche Lorraine
We couldn't do a round up of 70s food and leave out the quiche Lorraine, and give or take a few months we seem to remember the cooks of 1977 having a particular fondness for this French quiche recipe. Made with egg, cheese and bacon it was always going to be a winner!
Get the recipe:Quiche Lorraine
1978: Stuffed Peppers
Ah, the stuffed pepper. A wonderfully exotic mix of either rice and herbs or beef mince and veg, all encompassed in a sweet pepper shell. This hollowed out delight found favour in 1978 when people were starting to look for more vegetarian recipes.
Get the recipe:Stuffed peppers
1979: Profiteroles
Only a truly delicious dessert stands the test of time, with many falling by the way side as our tastes and preferences change. Profiteroles are one of those truly delicious desserts. Little puffs of light choux pastry, filled with cream and topped with chocolate sauce captivated the hearts of our nation back in 1979 and have been held dear to all dessert lovers since.
Get the recipe:Profiteroles
70s food deals
1980s food
1980: Viennetta
Viennetta was introduced in the early 1980s and was stocked piled in freezers all over Britain from then on in. The layers of chocolate that shattered in your moth hidden between layers of sweet bright white ice cream was a family teatime favourite for children of the 1980s.
1981: Trifle
A British classic, the trifle had already been around for a while by the 1980s, but with the ever more exotic tinned fruit available in 1981 this custard and cream topped dessert was at the height of its popularity.
Get the recipe:Trifle
1982: Vol Au Vent
If you were born in 1982 there were most likely vol au vents at your Christening because these small canapé bites were a big hit back then. Typically filled with a creamy mushroom and chicken filling they were considered the classiest canapé of the day.
1983: Chicken Kiev
Freezer food at its finest, the chicken kiev became a main player for speedy suppers around 1983. Filled with deliciously rich garlic butter and coated in breadcrumbs it's no wonder this 80s special has stuck around.
1984: Battenberg Cake
Battenberg Cake was apparently named in honour of the marriage of Princess Victoria, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, to Prince Louis of Battenberg 100 years previously to 1984, in 1884. However, by the time it trickled down from the tables of royal households to the masses it was 1984. This year everybody was serving this classic checkerboard cake at afternoon tea parties to impress friends and family.
1985: Garlic bread
We might think of garlic bread as a mainstay of British tables these days, but lots of garlic was a pretty new thing in 1985. Paired with melting butter and a crusty baguette it was no wonder that this new age Italian side order proved very popular.
1986: Pizza
Following on from the Italian theme of 1985, 1986 saw a huge import from Italy become one of our most treasured meals. The melting cheese and tomato combo of a pizza just made sense to our hearts and stomachs and we haven't looked back since.
Get the recipe:Pizza
1987: Chicken satay
Now that we're well on our way to the 90s things are beginning to get a little more exotic. Chicken satay hit the scene in 1987 and was a stand out recipe of the year with everyone wanting to try this delicious recipe packed full of Asian flavours.
1988: Kiwi fruit
If the most exotic fruit you've had for your whole life was an orange, then you can imagine the hype surrounding the humble kiwi when it began being imported en masse during 1988. Piled on top of pavlovas or sliced onto tarts, the kiwi was a sure fire way to show friends and family you were a fully blown foodie.
1989: Vegetarian food
Veggie food was becoming more and more popular during the late 80s. This was propelled into popular culture by the release of Linda McCartney's first book called Linda Mccartney's Home Cooking in 1989. Her book was so successful that a couple of years later she launched her vegetarian ready meal range which proved popular, too.
1990: Pop tarts
When the 90s hit it was American junk food that was the order of the day again, except this time it was breakfast food. Pop tarts had been available in the US during the 70s but it wasn't until 20 years later that we got them in our supermarkets. The reaction? Kids LOVED them.
So, there you have it - a round up of the most popular food from the good old days. If you have any dishes you remember being around from your childhood let us know!
70s food deals
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Chocolate and hazelnut rouladeThis chocolate and hazelnut roulade comes with an optional Baileys Irish cream liqueur filling for an extra, festive twist
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Baileys CheesecakeThis no-bake Baileys cheesecake is so easy to make and perfect for cream liqueur lovers, plus it takes just 40 minutes to prepare
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Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted pralineServe this rich Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted praline for a festive dessert that makes a popular alternative to Christmas pudding
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Chocolate and hazelnut roulade
This chocolate and hazelnut roulade comes with an optional Baileys Irish cream liqueur filling for an extra, festive twist
-
Baileys Cheesecake
This no-bake Baileys cheesecake is so easy to make and perfect for cream liqueur lovers, plus it takes just 40 minutes to prepare
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Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted praline
Serve this rich Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted praline for a festive dessert that makes a popular alternative to Christmas pudding
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Honestly, Sienna Miller's plum-toned tartan cape and lacy tights made a chic winter warmer you won't regret taking inspiration fromSienna is a pro at combining both glamour and warmth when it comes to winter dressing
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Gillian Anderson redefines the muted winter palette in vibrant crimson red shirt dressWe're shopping similar styles before they sell out
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